My OCD meds are doing wonders, I have been so good about not deleting stories! So proud.
'I am a genius.' Ganymede thought as he teleported to Persephone's side. One of the only dieties that had never disrespected him, they had what was almost a friendship going on. Well, as much of a friendship as one could have with one of the more powerful dieties.
The Goddess in question turned to him from where she was kneeling in a garden, nurturing the plants with her powerful presence. "How may I help you, Ganymede?"
He sighed, grateful that Demeter was no where near. "I have need of your and your Lord's help... as you may know, I have a champion, a witch named Mason. He is collecting the fragments of Selene for the sake of Olympus."
She nodded. "So I've heard. I miss Selene, so many plants respond well to her powers."
"What you may not know... is that he is Lover." She froze, lifting a lily in her hands. "I love him, he is kind, warm and loving. I need more allies if I am to free myself fromy our Father's abusive rule so that I may be with Mason."
Hands shaking, she looked around in each direction. "My Garden is protected from the sight of the gods... you did that intentionally. You knew that I could help you, but why do you believe I will not report you to my father?"
He stood tall. "The same reason you never saw me as a gold digger, you know that I was an innocent child captured and abused by a monster... just as you were, as your mother was. By the same monster."
They shared a pained look, one that far too many could share. The goddess in question sighed. "What do you want?"
"Your protection and blessing, but I won't ask it for nothing. I know of Hades' children in The Lotus Hotel." She froze again, eyes wide. "Nico is under my domain, he is gay. I have been keeping an eye on him, hoping to give him a good love life when he is older. Hades was always good to me, as you have always been. I owe you and him that much." He sighed. "I will have my Mason gather and protect and nurture Nico and Bianca."
She nodded, drinking in his words. "You are playing a dangerous game, but a worthy one... very well, I will allow it. I wish you well, Ganymede, you deserve it, in a way so, so few of us do."
Her radiant smile lifted his spirits.
"Thank you, Seph... thank you."
"Anytime... now... let's contact Hades, see if he will agree to these terms."
"""
Three Weeks of training with Lupa and Mason found himself more fierce, more powerful and having a Wolf Stare to match any actual wolf. He felt it, a thrum of real power in him. Running with Wolfs, sparring and winning or losing several times a day, practicing advancing magics, learning more about Rome... Mason knew he would become a true force one day. As it was Lupa's eyes went from respectful but hesitant to actually warm and proud.
Soon, they were done and it was time. She led him, with pack, in the Night, towards what she called "New Rome."
At the entrance, by a busy high way, he saw two kids serving in armor and purple shirts. "Lupa?" One said, warm as the summer sun, almost laughing with love.
She bowed. 'Jason Grace, I bring you a Sorcerer, a young man filled with knowledge and skill. He is a powerful force, and can one day bring great glory to Rome. Honor him, and watch him blossom.' She turned to Mason, bunting him with her massive head, he kissed her in return. 'Make your way here, but remember your Oaths... now go, and find your way.'
She vanished then, in a swirl of Mist.
Jason, a handsome boy with blonde hair and a scarred lip and an aura of sheer, Percy level power that smelled of Ozone, turned to him. "Let's go to to De'Anthony, the Praetor, he will determine your fate... well him and Octavian." The name at the end was said with a thick viel of disdain. "Dakota, I'll leave you out here for a bit."
He nodded. "Sure thing, Jason."
"Shall we?" And so they led him inward, well Jason did.
Down a long tunnel of red torches and toward a raging nexus of magic as strong as Camp Halfblood, stronger actually in many ways. Soon, very soon they exited the tunnel and he saw a massive river that oozed power, fierce masculine energy, and a literal city.
'I need to bring this sort of success to Camp Halfblood... but not now. For now I focus, and soon I'll grow into something more.'
"The Little Tiber is a powerful river, it can and will wash away any enemy enchantments." Jason said. "I would be very, very careful if you have any."
"I don't." And together they entered the Tiber. He cringed as his skin touched it's might, his mystical senses bombared by the power of the River. "Why is it so powerful? It's like a Male Lupa, wild and thrumming with primal power."
Jason nodded, not at all weighed down by the River's power. "It is something else, but it keeps us safe." As they exited the river, two towers of archers turned to them. Jason waved his arms. "It's just me, guys. I bring a new recruit."
They all nodded. "Come on past, Jason."
And so they did.
Soon the smell of barbque and other yummies filled his nose. He smiled as they soon walked toward a large city. "Welcome to New Rome."
And oddly, Mason felt more at ease than he had for almost a decade. "I am so looking forward to one of those Roman baths, I have heard so much from Lupa about them."
The boys laughed. "So... you're a sorcerer, how strong are you?"
"Strong enough to have survived all but on my own over a year and some change. I am actually working for Ganymede and Luna, to revive her through finding the fragments of her essence. I have already recovered two pieces. The other one is here... I can almost feel it. Actually screw that, I can feel it. Fiercely, a powerful draw. She's here."
Jason gaped. "That's... incredible. Let's talk to the Praetor first, and then we can get you to finding Luna's essence."
"Sure thing, let's follow protocol and off they went to the Praetor.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.
